Baby almost 3 weeks old... please remind me when this bf lark will get better...

[TheBlonde]

Baby will be 3 weeks on Thurs
Feeling really down/fed up with breastfeeding
She wants to cluster feed all morning and all evening. I'm finding this quite difficult with a 2 year old to look after.

When will it get easier??

Yes, it will

The Blonde - I remember this when i had ds1 and dd was only 2... he did exactly the same so it made getting her to nursery in mornings a nightmare and i would just be sitting on the sofa with pint of water in one hand and him attached to me like a hoover attachment.

It DID get better if memory serves - but prolly not for a few more weeks.

ds2 is doing it to me now - but only in the evenings which is much more manageable but you have my sympathy. These first few weeks are just pure drudge at times - you've just got to get through it as best you can and remember it really does NOT last!

Soon, I'm sure.
I reckon on the first 6 weeks being the hardest part - so you're half way there already! Have you got a sling so that you can get a bit done whilst you are feeding?

I really can't remember when, but it does! It really really does get easier, just take it one feed at a time and put your feet up (or get a foot spa!) and settle down with some nibbles and the remote. Obviously when you can with a 2 year old! Erm, have you got a sling? You can carry baby round, attached (feeding) and get on with whatever you need to do...

Thanks all
Formula is just seeming really tempting right now

Sweetie, this stage is tough tough tough. Breastfeeding or not. It does get better. Hang onto that thought.

No advice as I failed dismally on this score but remember you managed it for a long time with ds so you can do it... stick with it - you know you want to !!

Does DD have a name yet ?

You can do it- this is such a hard time and I can sympathise with you on how hard it is with a toddler around - don't they always seem to get up to mischief or poo as you have just settled into feeding?! I found it really helped to feed using a cushion and then I had hands free and made a point of using this time to read my toddler a book or so. You've done really well to get this far and I'm sure it will get easier soon - (ok, maybe easier is the wrong word! but how about more manageable?)

It is extremely difficult especially with a toddler. My dd2 is nearly 6 weeks and my dd1 is 2.5 luckily my dd1 will happily sit with colouring in books (those crayola colour wonder books are super, no need to worry about marker mess!), play dough, stickers or plastic animals.

I have been cheating when it comes to BFing this time and have been taking a herbal tincture to increase my supply as well as eating porridge. My breasts feel really full within 45 minutes of feeding - i have that much milk. This means that i won't be faced with the dreaded growth spurts or cluster feeds to the same extent. dd2 feeds for around 20 - 30 mins then sleeps around 3.5 - 4 hours + she has been gaining weight massively (approx 7-10oz per week!).

Eat porridge in the morning and afternoon and this will increase your supply. Hang on in there your doing a fantastic job - keep thinking that your giving your LO "liquid gold".. you will get thru this and it wil be sssooo worth it

I'd echo the six weeks post above.

Try counting in days not weeks.

You are doing great - take it one day at a time and be nice to yourself whenever you get a minute!